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Afghanistan hardest hit by aid cuts and climate finance gap, IRC warns

According to the IRC, development assistance to these 17 countries has dropped by more than 40% between 2013 and 2023, even as climate shocks have intensified.

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The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has issued a stark warning in a new report, highlighting that Afghanistan and other conflict-affected nations are being left behind by global climate finance and shrinking international aid.

The report, titled “Navigating the Climate Crisis in a New Era of Aid,” was released ahead of the Berlin Climate Security Conference. It reveals that 17 countries facing both conflict and climate vulnerability—including Afghanistan and Yemen—make up just 11% of the world’s population but account for 70% of global humanitarian needs and crisis-level food insecurity. Despite this, these nations received only 12% of total adaptation finance allocated to developing countries in 2022.

According to the IRC, development assistance to these 17 countries has dropped by more than 40% between 2013 and 2023, even as climate shocks have intensified.

Afghanistan, one of the countries most affected, faces the risk of losing over 10% of its Gross National Income (GNI) due to anticipated aid cuts.

The report also criticizes current climate funding trends that favor stable, low-risk environments. It notes that only 2% of global adaptation finance comes from private sources—almost none of which reaches conflict zones. The IRC warns that the cost of inaction is rising, estimating that every $1 spent on early risk reduction saves up to $15 in post-disaster recovery.

In response, the IRC is urging global donors to prioritize fragile and climate-affected regions like Afghanistan by committing to equitable adaptation finance at COP30. The organization calls for shifting from loan-based to grant-based funding, scaling up anticipatory action programs, and investing in early warning systems.

Highlighting its “Follow the Forecasts” model—successfully used in countries like Somalia and Afghanistan—the IRC demonstrated how anticipatory action can save lives. In Afghanistan, the IRC provided cash support to 2,800 households before drought conditions led to crop failure and food insecurity, showcasing the effectiveness of early intervention.

Despite its proven benefits, anticipatory action currently represents less than 1% of global humanitarian funding. The IRC calls for donors to meet the 5% humanitarian budget target for anticipatory action by 2026 and to increase investment in locally led resilience programs, particularly those led by women and civil society groups.

The organization warns that without urgent reforms, conflict-affected countries like Afghanistan will continue to suffer the harshest impacts of both climate change and declining aid support.

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Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan boost trade and digital finance ties

Minister Sydykov, in turn, pledged the continuation of Kyrgyzstan’s humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and highlighted his country’s interest in working together on e-governance initiatives.

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Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs, Abdul Salam Hanafi, has met with a high-level Kyrgyz delegation led by Minister of Economy and Commerce Bakhyt Sydykov to discuss expanding bilateral trade and strengthening cooperation in digital financial services.

During the meeting, Hanafi reaffirmed Afghanistan’s readiness to deepen ties with Kyrgyzstan, stressing the importance of developing electronic administration systems and modern banking channels to facilitate trade and financial transactions between the two countries.

Minister Sydykov, in turn, pledged the continuation of Kyrgyzstan’s humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and highlighted his country’s interest in working together on e-governance initiatives. He also pointed to potential cooperation in areas such as the printing of securities and the development of electronic payment systems.

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India reaffirms healthcare support to Afghanistan, hands over medicines and vaccines

Indian officials said the support underscores New Delhi’s commitment to helping improve healthcare services and access to life-saving treatment in Afghanistan.

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India has reaffirmed its commitment to continued humanitarian assistance and healthcare cooperation with Afghanistan, with a focus on the long-term supply of essential medicines.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda held a productive meeting with Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Health, Noor Jalal Jalali. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in the health sector and addressing the medical needs of the Afghan people.

During the meeting, a symbolic handover of cancer medicines and vaccines was carried out, reflecting India’s ongoing support for Afghanistan’s healthcare system. The ministry also announced that a larger consignment of medicines, vaccines, and a 128-slice CT scanner is being dispatched to Afghanistan as part of India’s humanitarian assistance efforts.

Indian officials said the support underscores New Delhi’s commitment to helping improve healthcare services and access to life-saving treatment in Afghanistan.

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Afghan forces target hideout of suspects linked to cross-border attacks on Chinese nationals

Afghan forces target hideout of suspects linked to cross-border attacks on Chinese nationals

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Security sources said that special forces of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) have targeted a hideout in Badakhshan province linked to suspects involved in attacks against Chinese nationals in neighboring Tajikistan.

According to the sources, the operation was carried out on Tuesday night in Faizabad city, where several individuals suspected of orchestrating cross-border attacks from Badakhshan’s frontier regions were believed to be present. As a result of the operation, one wanted suspect was arrested alive along with weapons and other military equipment.

The sources added that preliminary investigations and initial confessions by the detainee indicate the planning of the attacks was carried out from outside Afghanistan.

This comes as Tajikistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on November 27 that three Chinese citizens were killed in an attack in Khatlon province.

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